Sunday, June 29, 2014

Words to Live By Block 6

Trust



First Happy Birthday to Sandra on the 28th!  We hope you had a wonderful celebration!  Sandra and I are taking turns blogging this BOM.  But since it was her birthday and she was in charge of her husbands family reunion AND this next weekend is a holiday, I decided to surprise her and post the next block for her. Happy Birthday Sandra!   I had this already to go yesterday but had a picture issue with my camera, and had to have my husband help me when he was available.  This won't hit Sandra's email until the day after her birthday, but I think she will still be surprised.

Block 6 is Trust.  Can you believe we are on block 6?   Again we love the felted wool chosen for this project.  They are all soft nice weight wool and the edges do not fray easily - if at all.   You will love how easy they are to applique.  I think I will be wanting a green houndstooth wool skirt for Fall to match.  I love this green houndstooth for the leaves.


This time I very lightly traced the shape of the wool on my fusible web paper side and then fit all of the small pieces inside.  As you can see, I was able to save a little extra wool.  Also, I did notice that the instructions say to cut out 12 of the Flower Bottoms (Receptacle) but only 10 are used in the block.   See below.


Notice the 2 bottom flowers at the beginning of the stems.  They do not have the bottom part of the flower.  On this block, I did the lettering first.  I did this because I needed to use a light box to mark the stem placements.  I also marked where the flowers ended and where the birds were to be positioned.  I think my bird wings are a little higher that the pattern.  I didn't mark every applique.  You may want to if you are worried about placement.  The great thing about this applique project is that you do have a little leeway in positioning some of the pieces.  I ran into a little problem with the leaves that are closest to the wings.   But I am still happy with the result.  If you want to see how Lisa Bongean's block looked CLICK HERE and scroll down through the blocks.  Linda of The Quilted Pineapple did an amazing quilting job on this quilt.


This is how the block is when you are working on it.  As you can see, there are little pressed center markings still in my block.  Since taking this picture, I have gone back and traced on the embroidery lines.  Now I just need to learn a feather stitch (for the wings).

How is your hand work coming along.  I have almost finished with block one and I plan to do an easy one next.  I will post pictures as soon as I have finished.  Please please send me pictures of your blocks so we can post them too!

Happy Sewing
Kristin and Sandra

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Words to Live By Block 5

Loyalty

 Loyalty is another favorite block of mine.  I have to say that I am always surprised when I press on the wool appliques.  I love the texture, the colors, and the patterns in the dyed wool.  A big Shout Out to Lisa Bongean.  She has selected all of the wool for the kits and I love them.   I even received a "Wow" from my son!

 If you are just joining us, we are making Lisa Bongean's Words to Live By Quilt  - a block each month.  Lisa is the designer of Primitive Gatherings and has hand selected all of the wool and cottons for this BOM kit.  It is not too late to join.  We still have some kits just waiting for you!


 Remember for block 5 to trace all those small images together to save you time and reduce waste.  As you can see I needed to cut out a few separately.  You may want to trace a rectangle the size of your wool and then fit in all of the small heart flower petals.   Watch out the red wool pieces are similar in size.   Although it probably wouldn't really matter if they were mixed up. SAVE those left over wools pieces for another project - they are gold. 
 The background for this block is one of my favorite Primitive Gathering prints.  The only thing with the little black flowers and vines is that they seemed to appear as part of the lettering.
To find the center of my block, I lightly press each way in half as you can see.  This helps with the wool placement as well.

 This picture with my phone might give you better detail.  I went over the Loyalty word twice to make it darker.  BE CAREFUL though and do that only when it has dried from the first inking.  Remember light strokes with the pen. Otherwise you might get some ink bleeding.

I really love this block.  I am going to make some additional half-square triangles today.  As soon as our Sisters & Quilters work is finished.

I hope you are enjoying these blocks as much as I am.

You can find kits available on sistersandquilters.com.  If you don't want to adventure into the big quilt, try some single blocks for beautiful pillows or table runners.  And you can really write in any word that you want.  A family name would be perfect. Send us a message if you are interested in purchasing any of the blocks separate.

Happy Sewing!


Friday, June 13, 2014

Join our Bakers Dozen Club!





Yes! That is 13 Fat Quarters for the price of 12.   
This month is Blue Ice.  Gorgeous prints from Art Gallery's Drift by Angela Walters, Floressence by Pat Bravo, and Color Me Retro by Jeni Baker.   All of the prints and colors will be beautiful together is a project.

Each month will be a themed colorway bundle. The prints are a mystery! Purchase and join in anytime. Space is limited. By joining in the club, we will email/invoice you when the next Bakers Dozen Bundle is available. All fabrics are high quality designer quilting cottons.

Bundles will be shipped on the 3rd Tuesday. You will be notified of ship date. First ship date is June17th.

Below is our colorway schedule. Some groups coincide with holidays. Holiday Bundles will be shipped 2 months before the holiday. For example, Black Licorice will be shipped in August and Candy Corn will be shipped in July. Plenty of time for your coming holiday projects.

Bakers Dozen Schedule:
June - Blue Ice 
July - Candy Corn
August - Licorice
September - Moose Tracks
October - Silver Bells
November - Pina Colada
December - Red Hot (Valentines reds)
January - Green Apple
February - Lemonade
March - Raspberry Sherbet
April - Grape Juice
May - Blueberry Parfaits (you asked for more navy)

Link to Details Click Here

New Kits


"O Canada"  For our Canadian customers!  This kit includes all the fabrics you need to make the outside cover of this bright fun bench pillow cover designed by KimberBell.  Kits are $32.50 and sold here


"America.... Land That I Love"  Just in time for July.  Wouldn't this be a fun entry bench pillow to greet your guests !  These covers are interchangeable.  Kim of KimberBell has designed a different pillow cover for each month.  The instructions for the pillow form are included.  To purchase this kit, click here.


Happy Sewing!  
Kristin and Sandra